Bobcat Classic tourney featured top wrestlers

The Basehor-Linwood Bobcat Classic Wrestling tournament was bigger than last weekend as the field expanded from 27 to 30 teams.

Following last season, more teams wanted to enter what is regarded as an in-season showcase of top wrestlers from around the state of Kansas.

Goddard won the tournament and Andale finished in second place. Garden City placed third and Shawnee Mission East finished in fourth place.

The tournament seemed to run smoothly with wrestlers who have state experience competing in every weight class.

"I was very pleased," Basehor-Linwood athletic director Joe Keeler said. "It was an extremely competitive field. I was very happy with the sportsmanship from all the teams. It went off smoothly. That is a testament to the help and people that help us run the tournament."

A computer glitch forced the tournament to get started about 45 minutes late on Friday, but wrestling action still concluded ahead of schedule.

Basehor-Linwood opened up a second gym for wrestling action, which meant the tournament could run faster with more matches and action.

The first day of competition ended about 10 p.m., which was faster than the 11:30 p.m. finishes in previous years.

The meet could not have gone as smooth without the volunteers who gave their time to the tournament.

The tournament featured numerous volunteers working from ticket takers to those selling merchandise. Fliers at the tournament told people where they could eat in Basehor-Linwood.

There was a concession stand and a hospitality room.

The volunteers also include former wrestlers and cheerleaders who returned to Basehor to help with the tournament they used to participate in.

Each year these former students return to help run the computer system and help with the tournament.

"We are glad to have them," coach Scott Neil said. "They did a good job when they were here and its nice when they come back."

Pictures of wrestlers were shown on display during the tournament.

Then, it was time for the champions to be introduced. The finals round started with a smoke and light introduction as each of the wrestlers were introduced to the crowd.

"I hope it is something that is very exciting to the fans and wrestlers," Keeler said. "It sets the tone for finals and highly competitive matches. I also want to showcase wrestlers who have made it to finals. It is a tough tournament and they have worked hard. They need to be highlighted as much as possible."

Above all else, though, the competition that brought teams and fans to the tournament.

"We have had it for eight years," Keeler said. "They all come back."

Neil said the tournament plans to get even bigger next season as two more teams join the field.

While it is a busy weekend of competition, the school is proud to host it.

"We are glad to see it get here and stuff," Neil said. "When it is over, we can take a breath and stuff, enjoy things for a while. It is not a burden, just work and we enjoy it."